Clara

In Homs, one of the most dangerous and secret conflict zones for protesters in Syria, has been somewhat exposed. This morning, CNN released footage from an unidentified man on the ground there. Bullets rained in the background as he explained the “unofficial curfew” of 4pm to 8am, enforced by snipers lining the street. http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/29/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

With the only observers allowed in the region being a handful from the Arab League, it seems unlikely that they will support the victims of the military crackdown. The mission has lost some monitors due to disagreements with processes and purposes–a telling sign. I think the most important thing that this event highlights for itself and for others like it, is that the powers that be like to be blind to the worst kinds of offenses. It must help them sleep at night. I’ve always wondered what people in a position of power, dependent upon violent oppression, think to justify the outright slaughter of their citizens. I grant the societal differences that are out of my grasp, but at the end of the day, governments (all of them, of all kinds) claim to protect their citizens. Why then, do they always seem to turn around and protect themselves? What kind of recipe is it that changes the purpose? How can it be altered?

The monitors on the ground in Syria are visiting three more hot-spots today–let’s hope they don’t again report that things look promising in those regions, too.